After being accepted into UCLA and moving to Los Angeles, Conan signed a record label deal with Republic Records, and like the rest of Sunset Season, Generation Why features an evolved style and greater level of production as a result.
The song talks about the living youth in the 21st century and all the misconceptions, stereotypes, and truths that have been associated with the generation.
Generation Why
Conan Gray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why, why, why, why
Why, why, why
I was off keying cars parked on radium lawns
By suburbian moms
I called a friend, let's meet at ten
Go wherever we want 'cause no one cares that we're gone
This town don't got much to do
You and I haven't got much to lose
So do you wanna rot in your room like we always do?
Talk about how fast we grew
And all the big dreams that we won't pursue
Then get in your car and laugh 'til we both turn blue
'Cause we are the helpless, selfish, one of a kind
Millennium kids, that all wanna die
Walking in the street with no light inside our eyes
We are the worthless, cursed with too much time
We get into trouble and lose our minds
It's something that I've heard a million times in my life
Generation Why
Parents think we're fast asleep
But as soon as we're home we're sneaking out the window
'Cause at this rate of earth decay
Our world's ending at noon
Could we all just move to the moon?
This town don't got much to do
And you and I haven't got much to lose
So do you wanna leave everyone in this place for good?
'Cause we are the helpless, selfish, one of a kind
Millennium kids, that all wanna die
Walking in the street with no light inside our eyes
We are the worthless, cursed with too much time
We get into trouble and lose our minds
It's something that I've heard a million times in my life
Generation Why
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why
We're livin' night to night
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Since we're bound to die, oh
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Oh, what's the use in trying?
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why
And it's exactly why
We are the helpless, selfish, one of a kind
Millennium kids, that all wanna die
Walking in the street with no light inside our eyes
We are the worthless, cursed with too much time
We get into trouble and lose our minds
It's something that I've heard a million times in my life
Generation why
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why
In "Generation Why," Conan Gray encapsulates the feelings of restlessness and listlessness among today's youth. He finds himself aimlessly wandering streets and desperately searching for something to give life meaning. In the first verse, Conan describes the sense of rebellion that often accompanies youth culture, citing himself as a teen who once keying cars and meeting up with friends just to escape the mundanity of suburban life. Yet as the song goes on, it becomes clear that Conan and his peers are searching for something deeper - a sense of purpose in a world that feels like it's falling apart.
The chorus serves as a rallying cry for a lost generation that can't seem to find its place in the world. Conan laments that they're the "helpless, selfish, one of a kind Millennium kids that all wanna die," painting a picture of a generation that has been given too much time and too many options, but still feels like it's stuck in neutral. The repetition of "why" throughout the song reflects the frustration that Conan and his peers feel, as they struggle to find meaning in a world that seems determined to take it away from them. "Generation Why" is an anthem for a lost generation that is searching for answers but doesn't know where to look.
Line by Line Meaning
Why, why, why, why
Questioning the purpose and meaning of life
I was off keying cars parked on radium lawns
Engaging in rebellious and destructive behavior
By suburbian moms
Opposing societal norms and expectations
I called a friend, let's meet at ten
Seeking companionship and connection
Go wherever we want 'cause no one cares that we're gone
Feeling insignificant and unnoticed
This town don't got much to do
Being bored and unfulfilled with current surroundings
You and I haven't got much to lose
Feeling hopeless and uncertain about the future
So do you wanna rot in your room like we always do?
Challenging the mundane routine of daily life
Talk about how fast we grew
Reflecting on the passage of time and the changes that come with it
And all the big dreams that we won't pursue
Feeling disillusioned and letting go of aspirations
Then get in your car and laugh 'til we both turn blue
Finding temporary relief and joy through escapism
'Cause we are the helpless, selfish, one of a kind
Feeling lost and alone in a collective identity
Millennium kids, that all wanna die
Expressing a desire to escape the overwhelming pressures of modern life
Walking in the street with no light inside our eyes
Feeling emotionally numb and disconnected from the world
We are the worthless, cursed with too much time
Struggling with feelings of inadequacy and a sense of purposelessness
We get into trouble and lose our minds
Engaging in destructive behavior as a form of escape and rebellion
It's something that I've heard a million times in my life
Acknowledging the universality of these struggles among the younger generation
Parents think we're fast asleep
Feeling misunderstood and unseen by older generations
But as soon as we're home we're sneaking out the window
Rebelling against parental authority and strict rules
'Cause at this rate of earth decay
Feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world and its uncertain future
Our world's ending at noon
Expressing a sense of hopelessness and despair about the future of the planet and humanity
Could we all just move to the moon?
Fantasizing about escaping to another world
So do you wanna leave everyone in this place for good?
Contemplating the idea of leaving behind everything and everyone they know
We're livin' night to night
Living in the moment and not planning for the future
Since we're bound to die, oh
Recognizing the inevitability of mortality
Oh, what's the use in trying?
Questioning the point of attempting to create change or make a difference in the world
And it's exactly why
Realizing that these struggles are the result of larger societal issues and systemic problems
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Conan Gray
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thanhloan7285
[Lyrics]
Why, why, why, why
Why, why, why, why
Why, why, why
I was off keying cars parked on radium lawns
By suburbian moms
I called a friend, let's meet at ten
Go wherever we want 'cause no one cares that we're gone
This town don't got much to do
You and I haven't got much to lose
So do you wanna rot in your room like we always do?
Talk about how fast we grew
And all the big dreams that we won't pursue
Then get in your car and laugh 'til we both turn blue
'Cause we are the helpless, selfish, one of a kind
Millennium kids, that all wanna die
Walking in the street with no light inside our eyes
We are the worthless, cursed with too much time
We get into trouble and lose our minds
It's something that I've heard a million times in my life
Generation Why
Parents think we're fast asleep
But as soon as we're home we're sneaking out the window
'Cause at this rate of earth decay
Our world's ending at noon
Could we all just move to the moon?
This town don't got much to do
And you and I haven't got much to lose
So do you wanna leave everyone in this place for good?
'Cause we are the helpless, selfish, one of a kind
Millennium kids, that all wanna die
Walking in the street with no light inside our eyes
We are the worthless, cursed with too much time
We get into trouble and lose our minds
It's something that I've heard a million times in my life
Generation Why
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why
We're livin' night to night
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Since we're bound to die, oh
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Oh, what's the use in trying?
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why
And it's exactly why
We are the helpless, selfish, one of a kind
Millennium kids, that all wanna die
Walking in the street with no light inside our eyes
We are the worthless, cursed with too much time
We get into trouble and lose our minds
It's something that I've heard a million times in my life
Generation why
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why
P.s: I put it here so I can sing along ehehe
@Instagramfarnstories
#Lyrics
Why, why, why, why?
Why, why, why, why?
Why, why, why?
I was off
Keying cars parked on radium lawns
By suburbian moms
I called a friend
Let's meet at ten
Go wherever we want
'Cause no one cares that we're gone
This town don't got much to do
And you and I haven't got much to lose
So do you wanna rock in your room like we always do?
Talk about how fast we grew
And all the big dreams that we won't pursue
Then get in your car and laugh 'til we both turn blue
'Cause we are the helpless, selfish, one of a kind
Millennium kids that all wanna die
Walking in the street with no light inside our eyes
We are the worthless, cursed with too much time
We get into trouble and lose our minds
Something that I've heard a million times in my life
Generation why
Parents think we're fast asleep
But as soon as we're home, we're sneaking out the window
'Cause at this rate of earth decay
Our world's ending at noon
Could we all just move to the moon?
This town don't got much to do
And you and I haven't got much to lose
Do you wanna leave everyone in this place for good?
'Cause we are the helpless, selfish, one of a kind
Millennium kids that all wanna die
Walking in the street with no light inside our eyes
We are the worthless, cursed with too much time
We get into trouble and lose our minds
Something that I've heard a million times in my life
Generation why
(Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why?)
We're livin' night to night
(Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why?)
Since we're bound to die, oh
(Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why?)
What's the use in trying?
(Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why?)
And it's exactly why
We are the helpless, selfish, one of a kind
Millennium kids that all wanna die
Walking in the street with no light inside our eyes
We are the worthless, cursed with too much time
We get into trouble and lose our minds
Something that I've heard a million times in my life
Generation why
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why?
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why?
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why?
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why?
@kitkat2726
when he said "we are the helpless, selfish, one of a kind millennium kids, that all wanna die" i really felt that
@pedrocarvalho2860
I loved your comment
@vennylenny2320
Antoniooo
@mallorylynn7509
yee yee YEE YEE 🤠 I LOVE Antonio ♥️
@mr.brightside4612
Me too
@shooketh8784
Omg your profile pic is icon . But same sis (about the comment)
@rosesfornini.2692
Feels like we're all suicidal kids telling other suicidal kids death isn't the answer.
@nellu-8364
oof
@helena-oj4fq
IKR
@Sophie-le8wx
OMFG THIS IS TOO TRUE